How to Become a Fishing Guide in Manitoba

Manitoba boasts an impressive array of fishing lodges that rely on passionate people who love fishing and the outdoors.

For many avid anglers, becoming a fishing guide is a dream job. Others, especially casual anglers, may not be aware of the many job opportunities the fishing industry offers. Regardless of your experience, becoming a fishing guide is easier than you might think and offers valuable opportunities to gain essential skills for your career growth in any industry.

Why Become a Fishing Guide?

There are plenty of reasons to consider becoming a fishing guide in Manitoba. The obvious ones include being close to fishing all summer, enjoying the outdoors, flexible seasonal employment and living at the lodge while you work.

You’ll also meet many people, forming connections and developing valuable life skills as you interact with visitors from all over Manitoba as well as across Canada and the United States. Jay Siemens, a local angler known for his YouTube channel and outdoors photography, has guided at several fishing lodges in the province.

“Beyond it making me a better angler, it shaped me as a person through interacting with so many different personalities and characters in the boat. I feel it was a major teacher and helped me develop my communication skills,” he shared.

Another major benefit is the financial aspect, Siemens noted.

“Most lodges cover room and board, so expenses are low. Between your wage and tips from guests, often in U.S. dollars, guiding can be a lucrative summer job,” he said.

Steps to Becoming a Fishing Guide

So, how do you become a fishing guide? While the process varies by lodge, here’s a general blueprint for success.

1. Get Your Boating Licence: The only official certification you need to guide is your boating licence. Follow this step-by-step guide to get started.

2. Research and Network: Look for events where lodges might have booths, such as the Winnipeg Ice Fishing Show or Manitoba Outdoors Show. Introduce yourself, express your interest in working and start building relationships with other anglers and lodge owners and staff.

3. Apply and Follow Up: Some lodges may post job ads on sites like Indeed.com or on their social media accounts. Stay connected with lodges online and check regularly for hiring posts. If you don’t see any, try cold calling, sending an email or a private message through social media. You’d be surprised how often a quick call or message leads to an interview! Pit Turenne, angler and lodge owner of Aikens Lake Wilderness Lodge, recommends sending an introductory email stating what kind of role you’re interested in and why. Siemens echoed this saying he started by sending applications to any lodge he could find in Manitoba during the winter of his Grade 10 school year. “Be willing to put yourself out there and you’ll be surprised by what can happen,” he said.

4. Learn and Improve: Spend time on the water. Boat control and safety are top priorities for any fishing guide, emphasized Siemens. “Your client is putting their life in your hands and safety is the number one focus.”

5. Develop Diverse Skills: Emily Head, a seasoned fishing guide in Manitoba for more than seven years, highlighted the importance of learning diverse skills and being open to new experiences. “I knew I had to work my way up, so I invested in working hard onshore and learning from other guides as much as I could,” she said. “Overall, this one-time summer job has turned into almost a decade of incredible memories and experiences that I wouldn’t trade for anything.”

Resources and Final Tips

Manitoba is home to a wide variety of fishing lodges, from drive-to and remote fly-in lodges in hard-to-reach destinations. A great resource to learn more about these lodges is Hunt Fish Manitoba’s list of Lodges and Outfitters, where you’ll also find contact information to take that first step and reaching out.

Overall, be eager and proactive. A guiding job won’t just fall into your lap, but if you follow these steps, chances are you'll discover a new opportunity. As Turenne puts it, “[Guiding] is a great way to ‘extend’ your youth. You make friends, make money and live lodge life for free all summer long.”